# Ever have to replace a divider wall in a concrete septic tank? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 13, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872 "2017-06-13T16:32:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/21 "2017-06-14T13:22:54Z")
The condition of the house was listed as “as is” because it does need a roof, and the potential buyer knows all about it. It’s not leaking, as far as I can tell, but it sure needs replacement. The offer on the house was a conditional one based upon the inspection results. I assume the potential buyer can tell his agent, or my agent, that after reviewing the inspection results he’s not interested after all. Or he may come back with a further reduced off, from the already reduced offer, and see what my stance is. Fun times. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/22 "2017-06-14T13:47:42Z")
Per [Angie’s List](https://www.angieslist.com/articles/what-does-it-cost-install-septic-system.htm), the cost to replace an existing septic tank is $3,000 to $7,000. Of course, that will vary widely based on your area, but that is probably a good ballpark. I would think that the cost to repair a tank would quickly approach those numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/23 "2017-06-14T13:49:40Z")
Well, well. I just heard back. He did in fact reduce his offer accordingly after the inspection, and has agreed to take on the repairs to the tank, do the roof, etc. The house is **SOLD!** ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/24 "2017-06-14T13:56:36Z")
Congrats! Glad it was a short dance and you can move on! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/25 "2017-06-14T14:49:26Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > Congrats! Glad it was a short dance and you can move on! Big sigh of relief. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/26 "2017-06-15T00:24:08Z")
Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/27 "2017-06-15T02:56:28Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > Congratulations! Thanks! Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/28 "2017-06-15T03:30:20Z")
Long and winding road, indeed! Glad to hear you can move on. Maybe get a nice little low-maintence condo? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/29 "2017-06-15T03:31:37Z")
Although does this mean you won’t get pic of the interior of your septic tank? Really, one can’t get enough of those sort of shots. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/30 "2017-06-15T03:38:02Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Although does this mean you won’t get pic of the interior of your septic tank? Really, one can’t get enough of those sort of shots. :eek: Too funny. You know I never even asked for proof. Screw it. We reached a reasonable price. I’m happy just to sell the damned place at a reasonable price and move on. I’m tired of showings, and making my bed, and putting dishes in the dishwasher, and making sure everything is perfect. That’s no way to live! Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/31 "2017-06-15T09:24:24Z")
Actually sounds like your baffle failed. Mine needed replacement about 5years ago. Pumping company took care of it. Replaced wood with plastic planks. Relatively cheap insurance to keep solids out of drain field. ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/32 "2017-06-15T10:05:18Z")
If the baffle wall needs to be replaced, then what else is wrong with it? Want to sleep every night thinking on that ? If me I would replace the entire unit. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/33 "2017-06-15T10:30:35Z")
Not my problem any more. Thanks. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/34 "2017-06-15T13:37:45Z")
Congrats Leaffan, both on selling the house and not having to pay for a new septic system. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/35 "2017-06-15T14:16:55Z")
I just wanted to say that I am sooooooooo glad my answer to the OP’s question is NO!!! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/36 "2017-06-15T14:33:11Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Congrats Leaffan, both on selling the house and not having to pay for a new septic system. Thanks! 😃 > [@John\_Mace](#): > > I just wanted to say that I am sooooooooo glad my answer to the OP’s question is NO!!! You have no idea what these things smell like when you uncover them. It gags you from 30 yards away. :eek:☹ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/37 "2017-06-15T14:45:50Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > You have no idea what these things smell like when you uncover them. It gags you from 30 yards away. :eek:☹ Ah, but you are wrong. I had to help some folks get theirs drained just last year, and when it was opened… oh my God. The thing bubble up like a volcano about to explode. It was one of the most disgusting things I had ever seen. I actually read your thread title as if you had to DIY. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/38 "2017-06-15T15:09:39Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Ah, but you are wrong. I had to help some folks get theirs drained just last year, and when it was opened… oh my God. The thing bubble up like a volcano about to explode. It was one of the most disgusting things I had ever seen. I actually read your thread title as if you had to DIY. God no. Changing diapers is enough to make me gag. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/39 "2017-06-16T02:02:38Z")
> [@davida03801](#): > > If the baffle wall needs to be replaced, then what else is wrong with it? Want to sleep every night thinking on that ? > If me I would replace the entire unit. Original baffle wall was wood planking. This was across both the inlet and outlet to keep the floaters from going straight through to the drain field. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > Ah, but you are wrong. I had to help some folks get theirs drained just last year, and when it was opened… oh my God. The thing bubble up like a volcano about to explode. It was one of the most disgusting things I had ever seen. I actually read your thread title as if you had to DIY. If it bubbled out the top, it was over full which means it wasn’t draining to the tile field. I have mine pumped out every other year or so. Almost a state requirement now. They’re trying but haven’t enforced it yet. Smell goes away after a few hours. And to those that posted above about just changing the tank, around here any time you do something with or to the septic system or drain field requires a report to the state. They are not just going to accept that I changed my tank without the proper permits and ground water tests first. Hard to get a conventional system to pass the permit process around where I live. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872/40 "2017-06-16T02:38:20Z")
> [@PoppaSan](#): > > If it bubbled out the top, it was over full which means it wasn’t draining to the tile field. That might depend. Mine will bubble if the covers are not under dirt, even if bone empty. But mine is not gravity fed, there is this huge nasty grinder pump in a concrete box that pumps everything up into the septic tank, and the fitting inside where all that nice stuff goes is a T, one side points down the other up right at the cap. If you take off the cap while the lift station is in motion there is a 20 foot tall shit geyser that you better run from. I learned this the bad way ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-to-replace-a-divider-wall-in-a-concrete-septic-tank/788872.md?page=3)